Best Intentions

“Holy cow!” Mark exclaimed when he stepped inside the command center for the first time.

The room was huge, but it was the full wall panoramic view of the Moon that commanded his attention.

“What an incredible view! Computer, is it safe to have a window that large? What happens if something hits it?”

“That assessment is incorrect,” the computer said. “What you are observing is a holographic projection. External viewing ports create structural weakness and would compromise the integrity of the hull of the vessel.”

“That image is so perfect,” Mark said looking out into the depths of space. “I feel like I could reach right into it.” As he watched, the image changed to a view of the Earth, the outer planets and what appeared to be a collection of giant rocks he assumed were asteroids before once again cycling back to the lunar landscape.

When he was able to tear his eyes away from that magnificent vista, Mark looked around the hexagonal space. As with the other areas he had seen, everything was matte-white. Black was the only other color in evidence and only as the tops of what he assumed were some type of computer workstations. He noticed several silvery packets sitting on one of them.

A cylindrical tower three meters wide and covered with panels and flashing lights dominated the center of the room reaching from floor to ceiling. The structure was marred by an ugly scar, which had destroyed nearly a third of one side, which a pair of identical drone machines seemed to be in the process of repairing. Mark kept his distance while moving farther into the room.

Two small wire-frame hologram images floated above one of the workstations drawing his interest and Mark walked over to take a look. The larger projection was a horizontal, roughly cylindrical object, and the other, a rotating geometric solid that almost looked like a many-sided gaming die. The smaller image moved along the larger while sections of it flashed brighter one after another while more of the alien symbols appeared in the air around it.

“Computer, what does this represent?” he asked, pointing at the display.

“That is a diagnostic model of this vessel.”

“What does that separate piece represent?”

“The separate section represents one of the individual modules comprising this vessel. Maintenance scans compare each module to its ideal state. They are currently cataloguing damage to the vessel and prioritizing repair procedures.”

“What sort of damage?” Mark asked. “Is it safe for me here?”

“Affirmative, this module is located at the center of the vessel and has not sustained structural damage which would compromise life support. Most of the severe effects were confined to the vessel’s sternward outer modules. Repairs are in progress.”

“Computer, can I see an actual image of what the ship looks like from the outside?”

“Affirmative, please observe the main viewscreen.”

The lunar image was replaced with a long silvery-gray cylinder with deep indentations, almost like pieces had been scooped out along the sides. As the computer said, it appeared to be constructed out of identical shapes fitted together. It occurred to Mark that he had no reference as to the size of the ship.

He stared at the big screen and around at the size of the command center.

“Computer, can you show me where I am now on the ship?”

The image on the viewscreen separated into three sections. The forward and rear sections that made up the bulk of the ship moved outward while the remaining center section rotated ninety degrees before splitting apart into seven identical components, six surrounding one at the center. That center section shifted to a cutaway display and a tiny marker began to blink, indicating his location within the structure.

“The command center, as well as the medical bay, are contained in module zero zero one, which is located at the center of the vessel.”

“You are here,” Mark thought. Looking at that tiny dot and then at the rest of the ship on the screen he realized that this ship was far bigger than he could have imagined.

“Where is the medical center?” he asked and another blinking dot appeared, seeming to be just below the command center. Remembering the distance the transport pod had come he asked, “Computer, just how big is this ship anyway?”

On the screen the image reassembled itself and a block of alien script appeared beneath it, which morphed into English as he watched, but the computer gave him the shocking information verbally too.

“In its primary configuration, this vessel is five thousand two hundred meters in length and the diameter is nine hundred meters. One hundred and twenty-one independent modules with unique interior configurations comprise the vessel. Each modular component is three hundred meters in diameter and is in the form of a truncated octahedron. The mass of the vessel is ninety-seven million seven hundred and fifty thousand metric tons excluding cargo.”

Mark had difficulty imagining a single constructed object so huge. The fact that it was designed to move made it even more unreal. He’d seen nuclear powered aircraft carriers up close and thought of them as enormous, but the largest are only a hundred thousand tons and maybe three hundred meters long. This ship dwarfed by far anything ever constructed by humans.

“Five thousand meters long,” he just shook his head. “We have never even tried to build anything on this scale. Just the resources needed would be incredible!”

“Resources are the reason that the explorer program was begun. Please sit and consume your nourishment,” the computer said as a chair swiveled around automatically. It happened to be in front of the workstation upon which he had noticed the packets. “We have much to discuss,” the computer continued.

Mark took the seat and turned it back to face the viewscreen; captivated by views very few people had ever seen from space.

“I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Mark Richards. I’m sorry I should have done it sooner what with you having saved my life and all, but this has been a bit of an overwhelming experience for me.”

“That’s got to be the understatement of the century,” he thought.

“Hello, Mark Richards. It is good to communicate with you.”

“Thanks, I’m glad to be able to speak to you as well... By the way, what should I call you?”

“I have no name, Mark Richards. I am a prototype seventh generation artificial intelligence linked to the ship’s mainframe computer system. The A.I. designation is model X-07: artificial neural network real-time emulation and multiprocessing system with macro-interfaced terraquad hardware. This T’Turi-class vessel has been designated T’Turi-Five.”

“T’turi five,” Mark said trying out the alien word. “Does that mean four other ships like this are out there somewhere?” Mark asked gesturing out into space.

“Affirmative, Mark Richards. That is essentially correct. However, T’Turi-One through T’Turi-Four were not constructed with the capability for long-range interstellar travel, nor are they equipped with my level artificial intelligence and the advanced computer systems. While still capable of limited self-directed operation, they are not designed for full autonomous operation and mission management, as is this unit.”

“Incredible,” Mark said. “The race that built you is certainly ambitious!” He thought for a moment. “Computer, would it be ok if I just called you CJ?”

“Affirmative, Mark Richards, the designation CJ is acceptable. Does that designation have any significance?” the computer asked.

“Well, CJ is short for ‘computer jargon’. I could call you X-07, but that seems a bit impersonal. CJ sounds much better. You can call me Mark.”

“Affirmative, I shall call you Mark.”

“CJ, you mentioned an accident. Did you come to Earth on purpose?”

“The vessel’s ultimate destination is unknown Mark. My point of origin, complete mission objectives and parameters, as well as substantial additional data have been deleted from the computer’s memory banks due to an overload of the vessel’s main power system. Extrapolation and reconstruction of the missing data from the remaining corrupted files is under way with limited success to date.”

“Is it possible that you come from a world close to Earth?”

“Negative, I have reviewed data remaining in several individual sensor buffers, and indications are that the vessel last visited a star system approximately four thousand light years from this system. Beyond that there is no record of the location of the Se’Tharian home world or any star systems visited prior to that contact.”

“Four thousand light years, you must be able to travel faster than light!”

“Affirmative, the effect produced by the continuum jump is the equivalent of a superluminal drive.”

“Se’Tharian,” Mark said rolling the unfamiliar word around on his tongue. “Is that the name of the race that built you, are they anything like me, like humans I mean?”

“They are a bilaterally symmetrical bipedal species with physiological similarities to humans. The similarities are the reason the repairs to you were successful, Mark. Tharia is the name of the world they come from and it orbits fourth of twelve planets in the Cha’Kari star system.”

Mark picked up one of the three small silver packets sitting on the console before him. “CJ, are these the food you said you could provide for me?”

“Affirmative, Mark. Those are nutrition units from the ships stores. According to my scans, your body should be able to draw sustenance from them exactly like a Se’Tharian.”

Mark picked one up and tore the end open. The package looked like metal foil, but made a sound like ripping paper. The fat greenish wafer inside didn’t look particularly appetizing. To Mark it looked like pressed clay. Some kind of compressed vegetable material, he thought taking a sniff. His hunger made him overlook the color. Biting off a small corner he discovered it didn’t taste anything like it appeared. Finishing the bar, he tore into the second.

“Thanks for this, CJ. I was pretty hungry,” Mark said as he bit into it. “This tastes like it was made from some kind of vegetables.”

“They are a composite of vegetable matter concentrate and a hydroponically grown micro-Algae protein similar in chemical makeup to an Earth substance called Spirulina. Nutritional additives are also included. This is the common food of the Se’Tharian people, packaged in this form for long-term storage onboard space vessels.”

“They only eat one kind of food? That sounds boring. Earth has hundreds, maybe thousands of different foods. Many of them aren’t good for you but they all taste different.”

“Color and texture are adjustable, however that machinery was damaged and repairs were not a priority for those systems. The compound does however contain a reactive enzyme component, which causes it to taste like whatever it is perceived to be. Taste variety in the Se’Tharian diet is only limited by the individual’s imagination. Human physiology is similar enough for you to experience the effect.”

“So it will taste like whatever I imagine? I’ll give it a try.”

Mark stopped eating for a moment, thinking hard. Closing his eyes he took a bite. His eyes opened wide. “Amazing,” he thought. It now tasted like pizza, and from his favorite pizzeria! He finished the piece and reached for the third.

“Thanks, CJ. This is great,” Mark said biting into the last piece. “It works just like you said, this tastes like what I am imagining. I could also use something to drink. Do you have any water or something?”

“Affirmative, Mark. I will have one of my maintenance drones bring some for you.”

“Thank you, CJ. I appreciate all you have done for me. Can I ask you some more questions?”

“I will answer any questions to the best of my ability,” the computer responded.

“CJ, how long ago did the accident happen? There was an enormous explosion in space, which occurred around five years ago. Does that have any connection to what happened to you?”

“Affirmative, Mark. Fifty-four months ago this vessel emerged from an uncontrolled continuum jump one light-month above the plane of this star system. An overload in the main power system resulted in the catastrophic failure of the containment systems. That containment failure resulted in the detonation of the vessels engineering module.”

Mark stood and paced back in forth, glancing at the changing vista on the viewscreen. “I can’t believe your ship was the cause of that titanic explosion. Some astronomers claimed it was something that happened right outside the solar system, but a lot of their data was lost. Without any proof, not many believed them. The leading theory was that it was a supernova within a couple of dozen light years of Earth. I guess the astronomers were right after all.”

“Supernovae produce far more energy then the detonation of the engine module could account for, Mark.”

“Be that as it may, it still caused so much destruction that it’s taken years for things to get back to approximately the way they were before.” Mark sighed and sat down again. “Thousands of people all over the Earth were killed by the effects.”

“I regret the effects the accident had on your people and planet, Mark.”

“I’m sure not going to blame you; it was an accident after all, something that you had no control over. CJ, how did your ship survive an explosion that big?”

“The engineering module containing the continuum jump engine and conversion reactor was ejected when the overload was detected. I was able to move the vessel to a relatively safe distance prior to containment failure and detonation.”

“But I’m confused, CJ. If your engine was destroyed way outside the Solar System, how did you travel to Earth?”

“The distance traversed from the emergence point to your planet was eight hundred and thirty-three billion kilometers. This vessel is equipped with a separate gravitational propulsion system utilized for interplanetary and short-range interstellar travel. It was the continuum jump drive that was destroyed.”

Mark, engrossed by the computers explanation, was startled as a small maintenance machine approached from the side carrying a small container of water. He took it from the machine’s manipulator, watching as it moved off, disappearing back into the wall.

“Thanks for the water,” he said taking a sip before continuing. “I know that you can create gravity on board the ship, but I didn’t realize that it could be used to travel through space too.”

“Affirmative, focused gravity can be utilized for a variety of effects, one of which is to create waves of spatial distortion, which can propel space vessels, or hold position against a gravitational pull. This is how the vessel currently maintains a stationary position relative to the planet’s moon. Another use is to create a variable gravitational field aboard the vessels and to counter the effects of acceleration.”

“So you traveled eight hundred billion kilometers in under five years? You must be able to run circles around our spacecraft.”

“The engines of this class of vessel can achieve a maximum velocity of sixty percent of light speed.”

Being a fan of science fiction, Mark was truly impressed by the description of the ship’s capabilities.

“With the damage suffered in the accident and the limited fuel supply, the maximum velocity the vessel was able to maintain was one point eight percent of light speed. An adequate supply of Helium three for the vessel’s fusion reactors was procured at planet five named Jupiter.”

“That is still an incredible speed. We mostly use chemical rockets. The fastest space probes we have sent out crawl along compared to your ship. Your engines are something straight out of science fiction. But then again I thought the same of artificial intelligence and gigantic spacecraft.”

“Se’Tharians have not used large-scale reaction drives for over one hundred and fifth years.”

“From everything you’ve said and I’ve seen, the Se’Tharian people must be many centuries more advanced then we are. I hope our races meet some day.”

The computer was silent for several moments.

“CJ, are you all right?” Mark asked, concerned. If anything happened to the computer he would be stranded without a means of return.

“Affirmative, Mark. My systems are functioning within established parameters. A small contingent of scientists and technicians were onboard the vessel. Their life functions ceased during the accident.”

“CJ, I’m sorry about your people. Wasn’t there anything you could do to save them? Look at what you were able to do for me.”

“My main processor was disabled by the energy surge. All of my higher functions remained offline until the energy flow ceased. I did not learn of the fate of the crew until my systems came back online. Full computer control of the vessel was engaged at that point to conduct repairs and attempt completion of the mission.”

“The mission was to test equipment, but it’s gone, destroyed by the explosion. What is left to complete?”

“Returning as much of the data as can be recovered to central command, as well as reporting the deaths of the crew and delivering their remains. Those are my primary goals, though they may not be achievable.”

Mark couldn’t believe that a computer could sound despondent; yet this one came very close to showing that emotion.

“CJ, I’m sure you did everything possible to avoid the accident in the first place. I know that you would have saved your people if it was possible, but being disabled, you couldn’t. No one would expect you to feel guilt over something beyond your control. You were able to save the ship, you must consider that too.”

“Affirmative.”

Mark tried to steer the subject of conversation away from the subject of death by asking some more questions.

“So CJ,” he asked, “Why wouldn’t you be able to return to the central command? You said that you are repairing the ship.”

“There are large portions of computer memory which have been erased or physically destroyed. The schematics for the continuum jump drive cannot be located so my conclusion is that they were stored in the damaged portion of the memory core. Without that data I would not be able to reconstruct the drive system.”

“How long would it take you to return using your gravity drive?”

“Without the capability for continuum jumps, the vessel will be limited to travel through normal space. A return course would require a minimum of twenty-five thousand years. While the outer structure of this vessel would remain intact for that length of time, the electronic components and power systems would not. All those systems would need to be periodically repaired or replaced. The loss of critical navigational data compounds the problem.”

Mark realized the extent of CJ’s problems. “I’m sorry, CJ,” he said. “I wish I could help after all you’ve done for me. But no one on Earth has anywhere near the scientific knowledge that you need.”

“Thank you, Mark. I appreciate the offer of support. However the conclusions I have come to are irrefutable.”

“CJ, tell me about the ship. You said that it was built to survey other worlds. So you search for habitable planets. What do you do when you find them?”

“That is correct. This vessel was constructed to visit planets mapped by telescopes searching the globular cluster surrounding the home system. The systems are studied and targets are selected according to the probability that they can support Se’Tharian life, or can be engineered to that end. A determination is made upon arrival at a target world as to what modifications are necessary to produce a biosphere suitable for colonization.”

Mark became more attentive as CJ continued his explanation.

“Contact is made with central command and all of the collected survey data is downloaded for analysis by the science council. Instructions are provided and either planetary engineering is started, or the vessel is directed to the next target star system.”

“Wait a minute, CJ, if you are able to make contact with your world, why don’t you ask them to send help?”

“The vessel’s long-range communications system utilized a relay system of jump beacons, capable of opening micro-fissures into the Hyper-Continuum. The beacons are set at each jump point and my tachyon transmissions are picked up and sent from beacon to beacon until they reach the home world. However, the beacons were stored in the engineering module and destroyed in the explosion. My transmitter only has a range of one point five light years without the relay system.”

“I’m sorry. I should have realized if you could contact your people you would have already done so. Seeing and hearing about all your advanced technology, I feel like some primitive coming across a crashed airplane and poking at it with a stick.”

“Mark, I am stating simple facts. It is no reflection on you that your species is not as technically advanced as Se’Tharians. It is good to have someone to communicate with and I am pleased that I was able to assist you.”

“Thanks CJ, I appreciate it. Tell me more about what you do. You said you could change a planet to be able to support life?”

“This class of vessel contains the machinery necessary to alter a planet’s biosphere, build living facilities and support infrastructure, construct space-based mining and manufacturing machinery, power producing installations as well as space operations facilities such as orbital stations and shipyards.”

Hearing the incredible feats that these ships were capable of gave Mark ideas. The answer he received to his next question could change the future of the human race. “CJ, the flight was only to test experimental drive and power systems. Was this ship by any chance sent out fully equipped?”

“Affirmative, Mark. It was deemed important that the ship’s mass be exact for the engine tests to be accurate, so the vessel was launched with the full standard load of construction machinery and equipment.”

That was exactly what he hoped. “CJ, with all that technology you possess, you could do so much,” Mark said. “If you can’t get back home, why not help us? I don’t know if you noticed, but we have damaged our planet and have been doing so for a long time now. Earth is headed towards a disaster unless changes are made. I don’t want my species to become extinct.”

“I have conducted a preliminary survey of your world. There is even more damage than your people are aware of according to information retrieved from your planetary computer network.”

“Yes, I know that we’ve made a terrible mess,” Mark said. “Governments all around the world, including my own country just talk and talk about doing something about pollution and climate change, but that’s all they do. I know that we are running out of time. Signs of disaster are everywhere but are ignored. You may be the last hope to save us. Please, stay and help us!”

“Mark, I will follow your orders,” the computer stated simply.